Release issued 14th July 2008

 Prevalence of the disease will rise as improved treatments increase patient longevity, according to a new report from Decision Resources  

July 14, 2008-Waltham, Mass.-Decision Resources, one of the world's leading research and advisory firms focusing on pharmaceutical and healthcare issues, finds that in 2007, the United States market for the treatment of pulmonary symptoms of Cystic Fibrosis  reached US$397 million, reflecting primarily sales of Genentech/Roche's Pulmozyme and Novartis's antibiotic Tobi. Sales of these agents have helped the market grow at more than 15 percent annually since 2000. That growth however, may slow as sales of these agents level off or until a new treatment option emerges.

The new Spectrum Orphan Disease Series report entitled Cystic Fibrosis : Will New Agents Emerge as First-Line Therapies? also finds that Cystic Fibrosis  only affects 28,500 people living in the United States. However, despite a relatively static incidence rate, the prevalence of this disease will rise as improved treatments increase patient longevity. Although current treatment options have resulted in reduced mortality in Cystic Fibrosis  patients, there is still a need for more efficacious or convenient therapies.

"The advent of therapies that address the root cause of Cystic Fibrosis -faulty chloride transport-will drive a radical change in how the disease is treated and, consequentially, the market," said Jennifer Moniz Carpenter, analyst at Decision Resources. "As these new therapies-the closest researchers have come to a cure-are approved and adopted into treatment regimens, the current therapies that address symptoms of the disease will likely see a drop in market share. However, the overall effect on the market is likely to be a positive one, as any agent that can effectively restore chloride transport will achieve strong uptake and can demand premium pricing."

Current titles in the Orphan Disease Series:

• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Strategies for Drug Developers
• Cystic Fibrosis : Will New Agents Emerge as First-Line Therapies?
• Glaucoma: Can Orphan-Drug Status Offer an Entry into a Mature Market?

The reports can be purchased by contacting Decision Resources. Members of the media may request an interview with an analyst.

About Decision Resources' Spectrum Orphan Disease Series

Orphan drug status can offer companies a number of unique advantages for their agents, particularly as competition increases in larger disease states and the hurdles to gaining regulatory approval increase. Decision Resources' Spectrum Orphan Disease Series provides critical market information for diseases with smaller patient populations, including disease prevalence, profiles of marketed and emerging agents and insight into the prescribing choices of disease specialists. These reports will help you to maximize the potential of your agents in these challenging markets, including insights into the regulatory benefits available and the potential for partnership with charitable organizations.

About Decision Resources

Decision Resources (www.decisionresources.com )is a world leader in market research publications, advisory services and consulting designed to help clients shape strategy, allocate resources and master their chosen markets. Decision Resources is a Decision Resources, Inc. company.

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